Aldo Garcia-Pajaro

Research: The Effects of Sample Trial Manipulation on Impulsive Choice

The effectiveness of a reinforcer is determined by the delay to its receipt, though previous experience with delays influences choice. The present study conducted one within-groups experiment and one between-groups experiment with increased numbers of contiguous sample trials. It was hypothesized that if they were programmed at the back end of intertemporal choice sessions with exclusive exposure to larger, later outcome, they would reduce differences in self-controlled choice between ascending and descending delay presentations. Differences in proportions were lowest with delay-only back-end sample trials, though results appear additionally dependent on the introduction of conditions across time.